Why Should I Choose A Vinyl Pergola Over Wood?

Pergolas can be a beautiful addition to any outdoor space and it’s natural to feel excitement as you begin the process of shopping for your new structure. However, before you start enjoying the elegance, comfort, and extra living space it brings to your yard, there are a few decisions you need to make.

Perhaps the most important decision is choosing the material that your pergola will be made out of. Two of the most common materials are vinyl and wood. 

At Plastic Lumber Yard, we firmly believe that vinyl pergolas are a superior alternative to wood. Read on to learn why!

Why Are Vinyl Pergolas Better Than Wood?

There are numerous reasons as to why our team greatly prefers vinyl pergolas to wood. Consider the following: 

1. Vinyl can withstand extreme weather conditions. Heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, wind, and sun won’t damage a vinyl pergola. Wood, however, will succumb to extreme weather conditions over the years. 
2. Vinyl is low maintancence. Vinyl doesn’t need to be painted or sealed each year in order to prevent peeling, cracking, or splintering. The most you’ll have to do is wash it down to remove any pollen, dirt, or dust that accumulates over time! 
3. Vinyl doesn’t rot. Vinyl is impervious to water unlike wood. If wood is left untreated, moisture will enter the beas and cause decay. Wood rot isn’t not only unattractive, it’s also unsafe because it weakens the strength of the beam. 
4. Insects aren’t interested in vinyl. You’ll never have to worry about insect damage when you install a vinyl pergola!

In the long run, you’ll save yourself time and money by investing in a vinyl pergola. 

Is It True That Vinyl Pergolas Aren’t As Strong As Wood Pergolas?

No. Each vinyl pergola includes an aluminum channel that helps to improve the durability and strength of the structure. There are some who might claim that vinyl pergolas aren’t as strong as wood, however, as you can see in the picture below, our vinyl pergolas are capable of holding up a Ford Fusion!

Since a vinyl pergola can support the weight of a car you certainly don’t have to worry about hanging potted plants, a comfortable hammock, or growing thick luscious vines on the pergola!

How Are Vinyl Pergolas Anchored To The Ground?

There are several ways to anchor your vinyl pergola to the ground: 

1. Securing the pergola to a concrete pad using brackets and bolts. 
2. Cementing the posts into the ground. 
3. Using rebar to secure the posts over soil. 

As you will see in the instructions included in each pergola kit, we recommend securing the pergola to a concrete pad using brackets and bolts. However, if you are creating a custom pergola and are working with a contractor, they may recommend one of the other methods. 

How Do I Order A Custom Pergola Instead Of A Kit?

You can design your custom pergola in our pergola builder! If you have any questions while using the pergola builder, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.